Formation of Continuous Pore Structures in Si–C–O Fibers by Adjusting the Melt Spinning Condition of a Polycarbosilane–Polysiloxane Polymer Blend

A polymer blend containing polycarbosilane (PCS) and 15 mass% of polyhydromethylsiloxane (H-oil) was prepared and the properties of the polymer melt were investigated in order to clarify the mechanisms of continuous pore formation. Melt viscosity decreased as the H-oil content increased. Moreover, the saturation of the plasticizer effect of H-oil on the viscosity and apparent turbidity of the melting polymer suggested that the compatibility of H-oil to PCS in melting was limited at 15 mass%. Gas chromatography data after heating showed that an amount of evolved hydrogen at 573 K was increased by 15 mass% of H-oil addition. The fibers formed by the melt-spun of the polymer blend at 578 K mainly possessed a single pore at the center of the fibers' cross section. On the other hand, the fibers melt-spun at 543 K usually included multiple pores, and the fibers melt-spun at 538 K included a number of tiny pores. It is proposed that the evolved hydrogen can be dissolved in the polymer melt, and the desaturation process of the dissolved gas during the fiber spinning with a sudden temperature reduction likely determined the size and location of pores in the fibers.